France, Sept. 28 -- 63-year-old Sotoudeh has long campaigned against capital punishment and Iran's compulsory hijab laws, while representing some of the country's most prominent human rights cases.

The Council of Europe, which is based in Strasbourg, praised her for continuing her work despite repeated arrests, lengthy prison sentences and serious personal risks.

She is the first Iranian woman to receive the prize, which was created in 2013 in memory of former Czech dissident and president Vaclav Havel and carries a €60,000 award.

Sotoudeh was chosen from a shortlist that also included Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad, a prominent campaigner against compulsory veiling, and Hungarian lawyer Marta Pardavi, co...